Hi.
I am very worried as I hafn't seen my computer in this bad shape before. Normally I could fix it myself through trial and error but this time I thought I'd ask for help. Hopefully someone here can help me because Im really in the dark about this!

? ?The Problem
When I boot the computer I get an "ntldr is missing - ctrl-alt-delete to restart" error message.
However I can get past this using " 1ST TRY THIS " from a boot disk I picked up from the net.
Then however the pc only gets to a ms-windows xp logo page with a blue background and it stalls.
This happens no matter what I try in terms of F8 options (safe mode/last working config etc.)

? The Cause
This problem came from when I started with partitions using Partition Magic.
Basically I had 3 partitions (C:/E:/F, C: being the active Windows partition.
I also had some viriuses and a load of system errors. So I reinstalled Xp pro.
This worked fine but insalled to the F:/ so now I had 2 OS which I didn't want.
So I formatted the E:/ and rebooted and then the C:/ and rebooted, using partition magic.
This reulted in the " ntldr is missing " message which I learned can be caused from the computer not finding an active partition.
So I found a helpful boot disc on the net that enabled me to choose "1st try this" which got me onto my new partiton with the old ones gone.
YES! I thought...
However, I stupidly thought that by changing the new F:/ with the new WinXP install on it to being an active partition and by setting the drive letter to C:/ in partitionmagic and then rebooting, all my problems would be solved. Not to be.
Then a new error from partition magic came up saying that it couldn't find a partitular file (Im still using the "1st try this" boot disc to get past ntldr is missing" error). I figured that was beacuse it was searching for a partitionmagic file that was originally on the F:/ and now C:/ but Im not sure. Anyway, If I pressed "any key to continue" I just reached an WinXP logo page with a blue background and it stalls. Now I just cant get past it.


Any Ideas as to what my fix the problem would be most welcome. I would be very grateful as my pc is very important to me and I cannot afford a new one.

Thank you so much,
John H.

You say you have the windows XP setup disk? If so try this:
Start your PC...Go into your BIOS and make sure that your first boot device is your CD rom drive. When your computer is restarted with the windows XP setup disk inside, you should be promted to press a key to either boot from disk, or run setup. Chose run setup. You then will be promted to hold on while Windows Detects your system configuration, same as if you were doing a fresh install. This time however, instead of installing, choose to repair. If this doesnt solve your problem, the only thing i could think of is just reinstalling windows. Thats all i got for now. Tell me if it works.

Good answer eloplayspolo and your explanation is the only way to go apart from Fdisking which I could go into but I doubt if my reply would be responded to from john672.

Marked as Answered

Hey Wolfeymole
I think youre gonna make your new years resolution before next christmas, this one must have been close to the bottom of the archives barrel. LOL..........

Hey Uncleed
That was just under the surface, some went back that far I felt like Ewan Mcgregor in the toilet scene in Trainspotting lol.